There is provided a laser. The laser includes a substrate, a first Bragg reflector layer sequence on the substrate, an active layer sequence on the first Bragg reflector layer sequence, a second Bragg reflector layer sequence on the active layer sequence, and a voltage source for applying a voltage via the active layer sequence to generate a beam of laser radiation. At least one of the first Bragg reflector layer sequence, the active layer sequence or the second Bragg reflector layer sequence includes a layer having a periodic pattern positioned in a direction of the beam to stabilize a polarization of the beam.